MUSE Cincinnati’s Women’s Choirs Presents UNITE!

As women lead growing movements to resist and reject oppressive policies and rhetoric, International Women's Day (March 8) takes on urgent significance as a powerful global platform to celebrate women's achievements and advocate for equality, equity and gender parity in the face of ongoing discrimination and immediate threats.

In honor of International Women’s Day, MUSE Cincinnati's Women's Choir will raise her voice in solidarity and song performing two concerts titled UNITE! on March 4-5, 2017, at The Sanctuary at Community Matters in Lower Price Hill.

An inclusive and feminist choral community advocating for peace and social justice, MUSE will perform a tapestry of empowering protest songs and multicultural lullabies honoring the way women worldwide have always collaborated and lead purposeful action to address inequality in hope of a better future for their communities, their children and themselves. Consistent with MUSE’s tradition of audience participation, the concert will close with a sing-a-long of The Women’s March anthem “I Can’t Keep Quiet” by MILCK. Women’s March hats and other symbols of solidarity and resistance are welcome and encouraged.

Earlham College Women's Chorus will join MUSE for the second half of the program celebrating the unification of women across generations and geographies. As part of its partnership with Earlham, MUSE is pleased to welcome Danielle Steele to the podium as Interim Director for the International Women’s Day concert. As Assistant Director of Choral Activities, Danielle works with Earlham’s Concert Choir, Women’s Chorus and Gentleman’s Ensemble. She has conducted the prestigious Indianapolis Children’s Choir and has performed roles with opera companies and symphony orchestras across the Midwest.

Justice, Dignity, Hope, Equality, Collaboration, Tenacity, Appreciation, Respect, Empathy and Forgiveness are the specific values that drive International Women's Day providing an important parameter for guiding the action, behaviors and ethos associated with this critical and globally-supported day. UNITE! audiences will experience these values at the core of the artistic collaboration between MUSE and Earlham’s Women’s Chorus. Program highlights include:

“Grace” and “The Women Gather” by Carol Lynn Maillard with Sweet Honey in the Rock reminding us of the power of community and that shared experiences and resources make a stronger world for our children.

“Malala” written by Joan Szymko for International Women’s Day in 2014 honors Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai who survived a gunshot wound to the head at the hands of the Taliban in Pakistan for her work as an activist for the rights of girls to be educated.

A collection of international lullabies including “Duerme Negrito” in Spanish by Latin American composer Atahualpa Yupanqui, Iraqi Peace Song in Arabic (traditional), Suo Gan in Welsh (traditional).

The African American Spiritual “Sometimes I Feel Like AMotherless Child” adapted and arranged by Rosephanye Powell will also be part of the lullaby set speaking to families separated by slavery, segregation, incarceration and current, critical relevance as children of immigrant and refugee families live in fear of being separated from their loved ones.

Several pieces learned from Mollie Stone, a specialist in South African songs of struggle.

MUSE community favorites including “Endangered Species” by Jeanne Pisano and Dianne Reeves and “Sisters You Keep Me Fighting” by Patty Huntington and more.

MUSE presents UNITE! with Earlham College Women’s Chorus at The Sanctuary at Community Matters (2110 St. Michael Street, Cincinnati) on Saturday, March 4 at 7pm and Sunday, March 5 at 3pm. Tickets at www.musechoir.org. Early bird pricing through Feb. 24: Adult/General Admission $16.50, Senior/Student $13.50 and Child $7. After Feb. 24: Adult/General Admission $20, Senior/Student $17 and Child $10.

Courtney Phenicie is the Editor in Chief of CincyMusic and an alum of Northern Kentucky University. She enjoys singing in the car, pizza rolls, boxed red wine, and The Golden Girls. If you can’t find her roaming around the city with her daughter Josephine, check The Southgate House Revival or Casablanca Vintage in Northside.